Sixty-seven students of the National Security Studies Program (NSSP) Class 04 took part in the “Deep-see-mulation,” a large-scale politico-military simulation exercise on 10 and 11 February 2023 at the National Defense College of the Philippines, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The tabletop exercise sought to enhance the capacity of senior military officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in assessing foreign policy crises, collaboratively developing courses of action, and undertaking urgent decisions.

Focusing on individual and collective decision-making, the students were divided into 13 government agencies: the Office of the President, Office of the Press Secretary, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council Secretariat, House Committee on National Defense, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, as well as the departments of Foreign Affairs, Information and Communication Technology, Migrant Workers, National Defense, Social Welfare and Development, and Trade and Industry.

LtGen Ferdinand M Cartujano PAF(Ret), President of the NDCP, capped off the activity in an evaluation session held on 13 February 2023. In his closing remarks, LtGen Cartujano expressed his optimism that the exercise was able to help students become more effective, authentic, and ethical decision-makers and leaders.

“We firmly believe that one key ingredient in the solution to our existing and emerging security problems is to invest in people. After all, it is our duty and mandate to equip and develop national security leaders who are ready to take on the challenge of today as well as of the future,” the President noted.